IADT invite public to attend Dublin Learning City Access and Inclusion event in historic Carnegie Library

IADT was delighted to invite members of the public to attend an Access and Inclusion event at the historic Carnegie Library, Dún Laoghaire. This event was part of the UNESCO Dublin Learning City Festival 2025, which promotes lifelong learning for all.

(Photograph L-R) Astrid Newman, Carly Slater, Louisa Keogh, Alex McDonald, Loreto Meagher, Tracey Morgan, Sinead McEntee, Councillor JP Durkan, Nan O’Brien, Catherine Rossiter, Abby Langtry, Deirdre Walsh, Denise McMorrow, Mary Collins, Aiste Sabaliauskaite.

Access and Inclusion on Show highlighted the many pathways to higher education that exist. Opening with a screening of IADT’s new Access Education videos, it was followed by a panel discussion with learners from IADT Dun Laoghaire, each of whom have firsthand experience of access pathways to third level education. Additionally, light refreshments will be provided, and visitors will be able to speak with IADT staff about the support services available to students attending IADT.

There was also a showcase of artwork and poetry created by IADT’s Creative Pathways students. Creative Pathways is a programme designed to support ten students with intellectual disabilities to experience higher education and develop careers in the creative arts.

Speaking about this event, the head of Student Experience at IADT Denise McMorrow said “I’m delighted to see members of the public joining us in the stunning Carnegie Library to learn all about our many programmes here at IADT, each designed to empower and support our students. It was a wonderful, and hopefully eye-opening event!”

About Dublin Learning City

Dublin Learning City is led by the Institute of Art and Design, Dun Laoghaire (IADT) and Marino Institute of Education (MIE), as part of a cluster of six colleges including University College Dublin (UCD), National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). This is a HEA-funded initiative to collaboratively promote and advance equality of access to higher education for under-represented groups. We have a strong partnership with Dublin City Council and we are also working with the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) and Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB).

This Consortium includes five projects: Creative Arts Summer School, led by NCAD; Open Learning, led by UCD; Community Mentoring, led by TCD; Dublin Learning City, jointly led by IADT and MIE; the 1916 Bursaries, led by UCD; and Learning Neighbourhoods.

Dublin was established as a Learning City as defined by UNESCO in 2019 and received the UNESCO Learning City Award in 2021.

For more information, visit: www.dublinlearningcity.ie.